Mathare North and "Nice Grills Gal!"

So this week we finished up our presentations at Area 2 and then moved on to the Mathare North school. The majority of the kids there were smaller and so it was so much fun telling them about personal and oral hygiene. We even had the chance to teach some of the class 2 and 3 kids about nutrition as well. I love the face this little boy is making as he walks into the room before we present. He was such a cheeser.

But we had a fun time using the puppets and getting the kids riled up with the song Leann devised off the top of her head. And it was so awesome to hear them singing it later on during the day before we left. It made our hearts very happy :)

I have really enjoyed doing these health presentations, but I swear sometimes it can be so tiring and really hard to keep up the energy! I know it is educating them and preparing them for life so it is worth it! I think what we are going to do is print out and bind all the presentations and give them to the head teachers of each center so they can have then when we are done.

The best part of Mathare North though was at break time when we played outside with the kids. We sang and danced together and would laugh at the little boys and girls showing off their sassy moves. Here is a cheesy picture of me and a little girl amidst the dancing... haha I love it!

Well today we took the morning off because Shannon Garcia, our intern/apprentice coordinator, was in Kenya for the big CMF board meeting that was happening this week. She was leaving tonight, so we wanted to make sure to spend time with her before she left. We headed downtown early in the morning and did some productive souvenir shopping and then had lunch at this awesome cafe called Savanna. It was such a blessing to have her here and get the opportunity to hang out with her and some of the other girl interns. We had a blast! And it was actually her first time riding a mutatu so that was quite the experience for her :) On our way back to Pangani though we had just gotten off the mutatu and a man in the passenger set of the van yelled out, "Nice grills, gal!" and then gave me a thumbs up. Haha, I couldn't help but laugh out loud and we girls all giggled about it as we walked down the road. I've even had people ask me to get them some braces because they want them, or I will tell them I am getting them off soon and they tell me to never get them taken off! Oh, if they only knew how dreaded they are in America ;)

Anyway, something so sweet happened today! Shannon had asked Leann and I if we would take her to Babadogo to meet the child she and her husband support. What the chance of a lifetime! I don't know if I will ever be able to meet the child I support, but if I get the chance I would jump on it. Anyway, she brought him gifts and the smile they produced just pulled at all of our heart-strings. This is Hilary (I think that is how you spell his name) with a soccer ball and some new socks. I thoroughly enjoyed the precious moment and I pray that someday I can do the same with Leila who I support. Do you support a child? Have you ever wanted to? Well I could definitely get you connected with a wonderful child from Missions of Hope if you are interested in helping them pursue their dreams :) Just let me know!

Well tomorrow we go to Mabatini, another MOHI school which I actually have only been to once for like 20 mins. But I am super excited and I think it will be a great experience. Thank you so much for your prayers and please continue! It is difficult staying focused and finishing strong when you know you only have a short time left. But I am determined to make the most of it! I hope you all have a great weekend and I will keep you posted :) Blessings!